Metroid: Zero Mission

aka: Metoroido Zero Misshon, Mìtèluōdé: Língdiǎn Rènwù
Moby ID: 12061
Game Boy Advance Specs
Buy on Game Boy Advance
$85.00 used, $899.99 new on eBay
Note: We may earn an affiliate commission on purchases made via eBay or Amazon links (prices updated 3/25 11:55 PM )

Description official descriptions

Pirates have stolen an unknown life-form, recently discovered on the planet SR388. The life-form, called Metroid, is in a state of suspended animation and, according to analysis, was the cause of the complete destruction of SR388. If it ever got loose, the alien could destroy countless other systems.

The pirates have taken the being to the planet Zebes and are fending off the Galactic Federation's attacks. It is up to the space bounty hunter Samus Aran to find her way into the planet's core, destroy the pirates, and take back the alien before the pirates complete their plans of world destruction.

Zero Mission takes Samus back to her first battle with Mother Brain, expanding on the original story line and action from the original Nintendo classic, Metroid, with updated visuals, new puzzles to solve, and cut scenes filling in the personal story of Samus.

The player can perform moves taken from the original game, along with additions taken from the last GBA mission, Metroid Fusion, including the power grab. This game can also be linked to Metroid Fusion to unlock special extras.

Spellings

  • メトロイド ゼロミッション - Japanese spelling
  • 密特罗德:零点任务 - Simplified Chinese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (Game Boy Advance version)

50 People (41 developers, 9 thanks) · View all

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 90% (based on 65 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 94 ratings with 6 reviews)

The best 2D METROID game i've seen.

The Good
Every METROID game goes better and better over the time (Let's not count the 3D METROID games on this topic). METROID on the NES was an unique game, with an unique system, and unique playability, that has been conserved and improved over the years, it has detoured once or twice, but then it returns to its roots, like it should. This is the case with MZM.

  MZM is, basically, a full-fledge Remake of the Original NES METROID. It is almost identical in EVERYTHING - Layout, sequence (Although in METROID you can beat Ridley first than you do beat Kraid), Items, map. Even going thru certain key areas give you a reminiscence to METROID, and Nostalgia comes out. It even resembles the way Samus walked in NES METROID. METROID ZERO MISSION is basically what NES METROID could never be.

As for the playability, the game feels like NES Metroid, but much faster, dynamic, less frustrating than the NES game. The inclussion of minibosses, secret rooms (The game even respects almost faithfully the Item Location from the NES Metroid), and the consequential mission upon beating Motherbrain adds the game a lot of replay value.

Graphically, the game is a joy. It feels as if you were playing a Manga. The backgrounds, level design, the way some tiles go transparent to reveal you there's something behind is very interesting. Seeing old enemies "A la Advance" is an unexplainable joy. The intro scenes, the cinemas give it a more Anime look.

As for the music, listening to the faithfully represented NES melodies in MIDI is another joy that almost brought tears to my eyes, and at the same time, gave me that feeling that makes your hair stand to the end. Yamamoto and Hamano have done a GOOD JOB remixing the old NES melodies.



The Bad
There was a beacon Kraid in the NES Metroid, just like in Super Metroid. They didn't include it in this one. That's the ONLY thing that I didn't like about the game. The rest is about perfect.

Short? It's short like any METROID game. I can beat Metroid Fusion with 100% Items in 1:30.

I could beat Super Metroid in 1:35 (100%). It's the fastest I can do.

MZM needs 1:40 with 100%. Short my @$$.

The Bottom Line
It's unavoidable to compare this game to Metroid Fusion. And it's easy to do, since both games are for Game Boy Advance. Honestly, Metroid Zero Mission is waaaaaaaaaaay better than Metroid Fusion, because MZM IS A METROID GAME, as they should be.

Lots of replay value, connection bonuses, and item-restriction ndings makes MSM a very rewarding game. As a METROID geek, this game is simply perfect.

Game Boy Advance · by Justin Bailey (9) · 2006

It's every bit as good as Fusion... perhaps better!

The Good
Having just completed Zero Mission, I can safely assure you that it is worth every penny. That's all you really need to know. While it is a remake of the first game, and feels a lot like the first game, it somehow at the same time feels like an entirely new chapter in the Metroid saga. For example, at one point Samus loses her suit and must rely on stealth tactics to retrieve it. This was a refreshing twist on Metroid gameplay. The graphics, sound effects, and musical score (which borrows much from the NES version) are all top notch. And, upon beating the game you unlock a Hard difficulty, and the original NES game!

The Bad
I have only one complaint, and it is the length. At roughly 4-5 hours to complete at Normal difficulty, it leaves you starving for more Metroid. Granted, the inclusion of the original game as an unlockable, and the Hard difficulty, certainly give the game some replay value, but the content itself is what I crave more than anything.

The Bottom Line
I would say to anyone with a GBA: buy this game now, without hesitation. If you don't absolutely love it, there's probably something wrong with you.

Game Boy Advance · by Michael Raymer (142) · 2004

Though not as good as Metroid Fusion this is still much more than just another remake.

The Good
This game is basically another remake of an old NES classic: Metroid. Though this is a remake it has got so many new things that you won't really mind even if you played the original. The story is therefore not as great as in recent Metroid titles but it does the job: Space pirates want to use the life sucking abilities of a newly discovered life-form called Metroids to create a very powerful weapon to control the galaxy. Interstellar bounty hunter Samus Aran must now destroy the Metroids and the Pirate leading Mother Brain. The gameplay, as in all Metroid games is smooth and easy. It's just plain brilliant. Lots of power-ups to Samus's power suit force you to look everywhere for new ones to proceed to new area's or reach new rooms in area's visited before. This makes Metroid such a good series. The graphics are also brilliant. Though the backgrounds of the caves in which this game is set do not allow as much detail as 2002's Metroid Fusion's space station, but they are beautiful in a different way and make use of a great comic-book style. All other sprites including Samus and her enemies are of the same style and quality as Fusion. The music is simply one off the best on the GBA if not the best. It's very atmospheric and beautiful and really gives you the feel that fits with being alone on a planet full of suspense and monsters.

The Bad
The game is much too short and easy. The difference in difficulty between easy and normal is difficult to notice. However if you complete the normal mode you will unlock a hard mode which is significantly harder. Also unlockable is the original NES game and the usual gallery of pictures. Each picture can be unlocked if you play through the game with certain criteria such as reaching the end with a certain amount of items. You can also link with Fusion to obtain the gallery of that game. These unlockables make up pretty good for the short length of the game, which is nice after all, but it's still not as good as Fusion. The longevity is the main reason for that. You wish there was just more to the game because it's such a great game.

The Bottom Line
Brilliant but because it's a remake and not a sequel you will be better of with Fusion which is longer and harder and gives you more for the same price. But this is definitely not a bad game, don't get me wrong but try Fusion first. If you like this game you'll simply love Fusion.

Game Boy Advance · by Rensch (203) · 2005

[ View all 6 player reviews ]

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Metroid: Zero Mission appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Endings

Like the rest of the Metroid games, it has a different ending image depending on how long it took the player to complete the game.

Extra Content

The original Metroid for NES can be played once the player has finished the game.

Awards

  • GameSpy
    • 2004 – #4 GBA Game of the Year
    • 2004 – GBA Adventure Game of the Year
    • 2004 – Game Boy Advance Game of the Year (Readers' Vote)
  • Joystick Game Awards

Information also contributed by glidefan and piltdown man.

Analytics

MobyPro Early Access

Upgrade to MobyPro to view research rankings!

Related Games

Metroid Dread
Released 2021 on Nintendo Switch
Metroid Fusion
Released 2002 on Game Boy Advance, 2011 on Nintendo 3DS, 2014 on Wii U
Metroid
Released 1986 on NES, Game Boy Advance, 2007 on Wii...
Metroid: Samus Returns
Released 2017 on Nintendo 3DS
Mission Critical
Released 1995 on DOS, Linux, 2018 on Windows
Front Mission
Released 1995 on SNES, 2002 on WonderSwan Color
Front Mission 2
Released 1997 on PlayStation, 2008 on PlayStation 3, 2012 on PS Vita
Front Mission 3
Released 1999 on PlayStation, 2009 on PlayStation 3, 2012 on PS Vita
Metroid II: Return of Samus
Released 1991 on Game Boy, 2011 on Nintendo 3DS, 2023 on Nintendo Switch

Related Sites +

Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 12061
  • [ Please login / register to view all identifiers ]

Contribute

Are you familiar with this game? Help document and preserve this entry in video game history! If your contribution is approved, you will earn points and be credited as a contributor.

Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Kartanym.

Wii U added by Michael Cassidy.

Additional contributors: Guy Chapman, Opipeuter, Tiago Jacques, gamewarrior, Keeper Garrett, Cantillon, Patrick Bregger, FatherJack.

Game added February 10, 2004. Last modified December 30, 2023.